DHS Inspector General Weighs Criminal Referral Against Lewandowski Over Contracting

A federal watchdog investigation into DHS procurement practices during the Noem era has produced findings serious enough to prompt discussion of a Justice Department referral — a threshold that,...

The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General has found evidence that Corey Lewandowski, who served as a Special Government Employee during the tenure of former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, may have been improperly involved in awarding DHS contracts, according to a report published by the Wall Street Journal. The OIG is weighing whether to send a criminal referral to the Department of Justice for potential prosecution, according to that report. Noem was fired from the DHS Secretary position; the circumstances of her departure are a matter of public record.

Lewandowski's designation as a Special Government Employee is a formal federal classification, defined under 18 U.S.C. § 202, that limits the number of days an individual may serve in an advisory capacity — typically no more than 130 days per year — while potentially retaining outside employment. SGEs are subject to federal ethics and conflict-of-interest statutes. His appointment and any associated financial disclosure forms would be on file with DHS and subject to public records requests under the Freedom of Information Act.

The DHS OIG is an independent federal watchdog established under the Inspector General Act of 1978. Its findings are documented in formal reports and referrals. A criminal referral to DOJ does not constitute a charge or indictment; it initiates a review by federal prosecutors who then determine independently whether to open an investigation or pursue prosecution. The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the development, cited the OIG investigation as ongoing as of the date of publication.

The specific contracts alleged to have been improperly awarded, their dollar amounts, the vendors involved, and the precise nature of Lewandowski's alleged role have not been fully detailed in publicly available documents as of July 11, 2026. USASpending.gov maintains a searchable federal contracts database that would identify DHS contracts awarded during the relevant period. The OIG's formal findings, if and when published, would constitute the authoritative public record of the investigation's scope and conclusions.

What remains unknown: whether DOJ has received or acted on any referral, whether Lewandowski has been formally notified of potential charges, and which specific procurements are under scrutiny. The documents that would answer these questions are the OIG investigative report, any DOJ correspondence, and DHS contracting records obtainable via FOIA or congressional subpoena.